One of the most influential and accomplished screenwriters in the annals of Hollywood's storied history, Harold Lehman's life and career are a testament to his unwavering dedication to his craft. Born and raised on Long Island, Lehman's educational pursuits took him to New York City, where he graduated from City College.
Before venturing into the world of screenwriting, Lehman's early career was marked by a series of diverse and formative experiences. One of his first jobs was as a copywriter for a prominent Broadway publicist, a role that would later influence his work on the novel and screenplay "Sweet Smell of Success." Lehman's talents also extended to radio comedy writing, and he even served as the editor of a financial magazine.
In addition to his work in these fields, Lehman was an accomplished short story writer, with his fiction piece "The Comedian" being published in esteemed publications such as Collier's magazine. This early success would ultimately lead to his first job as a screenwriter for Paramount Pictures in the mid-1950s.
Throughout his illustrious career, Lehman has been hailed as a master of the well-crafted screenplay, with Nick Roddick, in the Dictionary of Literary Biography, praising him as "a champion of the what-happens-next screenplay." Furthermore, Lehman's dedication to his craft has been recognized through his service as president of the Writers Guild of America from 1983-1985.
Biography:
* Born on Long Island
* Graduated from City College of New York
* Early career included work as a copywriter, radio comedy writer, and editor of a financial magazine
* Published short stories in Collier's magazine, including "The Comedian"
* First job as a screenwriter for Paramount Pictures in the mid-1950s
* Served as president of the Writers Guild of America from 1983-1985
